Cody set to snub RTÉ over Carthy treatment

BRIAN CODY is the only one of six managers involved in RTÉ’s three live televised games this weekend set to refuse post-match interviews with the national broadcasters.

Strong sources have confirmed to the Irish Examiner that Cody is the sole hurling boss among the group of eight managers led by Tyrone’s Mickey Harte who are boycotting RTÉ interviews in protest at the treatment of the popular radio GAA correspondent Brian Carthy.

The other six are Kieran McGeeney (Kildare), Justin McNulty (Laois), Conor Counihan (Cork), Mickey Moran (Leitrim), Glen Ryan (Longford) and Kevin Walsh (Sligo).

Contacted by the Irish Examiner yesterday, Waterford’s Davy Fitzgerald and Limerick’s Donal O’Grady confirmed they have no issue with RTÉ and will accept any interview request following Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final.

Wexford boss Colm Bonnar, who will lead his team against Cody’s Kilkenny in Saturday evening’s Leinster semi-final, revealed he knew nothing of the plan to snub RTÉ.

“I didn’t even hear of it,” he said at yesterday’s Leinster Council media morning to promote the game.

In the third televised game, Wexford and Westmeath’s footballers play on the under-card to the Leinster SHC at Wexford Park. Both managers Jason Ryan and Pat Flanagan are planning to co-operate with RTÉ.

“I’m oblivious to the whole thing,” said Ryan about the managers’ stance against RTÉ. “I know nothing of it.”

Flanagan wasn’t approached either about putting his name to the letter sent last month to RTÉ requesting a meeting with the broadcasters about Carthy’s position.

“I’m not aware of the issue. Until I am aware, I can’t say what I would do.”

McGeeney, McNulty and Counihan’s teams were all in action last weekend but none of them gave interviews to RTÉ.

Bizarrely, McNulty went as far as refusing to speak to the print media.

A number of inter-county players yesterday used Twitter to express their opinion on the managers’ action.

Mayo footballers Aidan O’Shea and Robert Hennelly opposed the stance taken by the bosses.

“BC (Carthy) lovely man,” wrote O’Shea. “Mad ‘bout GAA but RTÉ employ him. Ridiculous boycott.”

Hennelly remarked: “Disagree with how the Brian Carthy fiasco is being dealt with by managers. I’m sure he’s a gent but it’s not their place. Tail wagging the dog.”

However, footballers Dessie Dolan, Paul Casey and Darren Clarke backed the support shown for Carthy.

! Casey wrote: “Fully support some of the GAA managers’ views that Brian Carthy has been harshly treated by RTÉ in excluding him from high profile games!”